Tennis ball canister with an attachment lobe

ABSTRACT

A canister for holding objects such as but not limited to tennis balls. The canister includes a preferably cylindrical canister body. An attachment means lies above the center of gravity of the canister so that when the canister is affixed to a net that divides or surrounds a playing surface, a vertically aligned orientation of the canister is maintained even when the canister no longer holds the rounded objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

This application generally relates to a canister that stores rounded objects such as tennis balls and has a lobe by which the canister can be attached to a net that surrounds or divides a playing surface.

(2) Description of Related Art

Cylindrical canisters for containing objects such as tennis balls are known. When the canister is empty and devoid of ballast, it may be blown or migrate across a playing surface such as a tennis court.

Among the devices considered before filing this application are U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 394,154; 3,972,499; 4,299,345; 4,798,319; 7,913,840; and U.S. patent publication No. 2004/0004097.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment contemplates a cylindrical canister which when completely or partially filled contains spherical objects such as tennis balls. When the canister is empty, an attachment lobe extends from the canister and is attached to for example a net and so prevents the empty canister from being blown across a playing surface such as a tennis court. This feature avoids player distraction when a game is underway.

In one embodiment, the lobe extends from an upper portion of the canister above its center of gravity. When attached to a net that divides or surrounds the court, the lobe secures the empty canister to the net. Under the influences of gravity and attachment forces, the unburdened empty canister securely hangs from the net.

In one embodiment, the canister has an upper portion with an opening that receives the objects to be stored, such as tennis balls and through which they can be removed from the canister. An outwardly extending lip surrounds the canister opening. Below the lip is a ring that surrounds an outer circumference of the upper portion. A peripheral recess extends between a lower portion of the lip and an upper portion of the ring. An attachment means such as a lobe is positioned in the recess. The lobe extends radially outwardly from the canister and has a hook portion. When the hook is attached to for example a net, the lobe secures the canister to the net.

In use, a detachable lid covers the opening and is conventionally attached to the lip. In another embodiment, the lid has an outwardly extending lobe with a distal hook for attaching the canister to a securement surface such as a net.

In yet another embodiment, a lobe extends from the canister body above its center of gravity so that when the canister is affixed to an anchoring surface such as a net, the orientation of the canister is maintained even when the canister no longer is weighted by and holds the rounded objects.

For packing economies, a group of canisters, each having a radially extending lobe is disclosed. Each canister in the group holds objects such as tennis balls. For example a group may include three rows of canisters. Each row of canisters has a pair of canisters positioned adjacently. Each canister has a radially extending attachment lobe. An interstice lies between adjacent canisters. When suitably oriented to enable packing economies, the attachment lobes extend into the interstices without enlarging the packaging volume of the group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an empty canister with a lobe or attachment means.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary alternative embodiment of the canister with the attachment means being monolithic with the lid.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary further alternative embodiment of the canister with the attachment means monolithic with the canister.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the canister with the attachment means attached to the lid.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the canister with the attachment means attached to the canister.

FIG. 6A is a top view of a two-dimensional representation of a canister packaging arrangement.

FIG. 6B schematically illustrates a three-dimensional exemplary packaging means for the canister.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Sports such as such as tennis, badminton, hockey and table tennis involve the use of balls, shuttlecocks and pucks that before deployment on a playing surface are housed in a cylindrical canister. Usually the canisters alone are light in weight. When emptied, the canisters are susceptible to prevailing winds. As a result they may be blown across a playing surface, often at an inopportune time.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a canister 100 for holding rounded objects such as tennis balls, racket balls, handballs or for instance shuttlecocks. It will be appreciated that “rounded” is not limited to spherical. The term as used herein may be construed so as to include plate-like shapes, such a hockey pucks. The canister 100 is configured to hold a plurality of such objects, each of which may vary in width and depth. In one example, the canister 100 holds tennis balls and is a tennis ball canister.

The canister 100 includes a canister body 102 and a lid 104. The canister 102 has at least one canister wall 112. In one example, the canister 102 may be cylindrical and the canister wall 112 may be a cylindrical wall. The canister wall 112 may define a canister opening 124 at an upper portion 126 of the canister 102. Opposite is a closed end. The canister opening 124 is configured to receive objects such as tennis balls. A canister lip 108 extends outwardly radially from and surrounds the canister opening 124. The outside of the canister lip 108 has a greater radius than a radius of the canister 102.

The lid 104 has a lower portion 106 that fits over the canister lip 108 and is detachably attached to the canister 102 to cover the canister opening 124, thereby retaining the contents of the canister. The lip 108 cooperates with the lid 104 so that the lid 104 can be removably attached to the canister 102.

A lobe or attachment means 114 is secured to the canister 102 so that the canister 100 can engage a substrate such as a net and secure the canister 100 and any contents therewithin to the substrate. The attachment means 114 extends above the center of gravity of the canister 102 so that when the canister 102 is affixed to a substrate, the orientation of the canister 102 is maintained even when the canister 102 no longer holds the rounded objects. In this embodiment, the attachment means 114 is secured to the upper portion 126 of the canister 102.

As an example, the canister 100 may be affixed to a netting substrate by the attachment means 114. The netting may be that which divides or surrounds a playing surface or court. The canister 100 may securely be fastened to a substrate so the canister 100 may be temporary stored and will not easily roll or be blown away. In different examples, the attachment means 114 for attaching can include fasteners, hooks, clasps, braces, carabiners, rings, latches, screws, anchors, connectors, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, a ring 110 having an upper portion 132 may be configured to surround the outer circumference of the canister 102. The radius of the ring 110 is greater than the radius of the canister 102 so that the canister 102 may be confined within the ring 110. The radius of the ring 110 is less than the radius of the canister lip 108. When the ring 110 is urged upward towards the upper portion 126 of the canister 102, the ring 110 is blocked from moving above the lid 104. A recess 134 extends between a lower portion of the canister lip 108 and the upper portion 132 of the ring 110.

The attachment means 114 has a distal free standing portion 128 and a secured portion 130. The free standing portion 128 extends from the secured portion 130. The free standing portion 128 has a lobe portion 118 and a serpentine portion 116 extending from the lobe portion 118. The ring 110 couples the secured portion 130 of the attachment means 114 to the canister wall 112. The attachment means 114 is thereby positioned in the recess 134 and is configured to be secured between the canister wall 112, the ring 110, and the lip of the canister 108. In one example, the attachment means 114 is monolithic or is of one piece with the ring 110. Furthermore, the attachment portion 114 preferably includes a curved portion or at least two bends.

In one example, a recessed portion 120 lies between the free standing portion 128 and the secured portion 130 of the attachment means 114. The recessed portion 120 is configured to receive the lower portion of the lid 106 when the lid 104 is engaged with the lip 108 of the canister 102.

FIG. 2 illustrates a canister arrangement 200 including a canister 202 having a lid 204 covering an opening 224. An attachment means 214 is monolithic with respect to the lid 204. In one example, the attachment means 214 includes a lobe 218 and a hook-shaped portion 216. The lobe 218 extends outwardly from the lid 204. The hook-shaped portion 216 extends from the lobe 218. The attachment means 214 extends above the center of gravity of the canister 202 so that when the canister 202 is affixed to a substrate, the orientation of the canister 202 is maintained so that preferably the open end is upward, even when the canister 202 no longer holds the rounded objects.

In one example, the attachment means 214 and the lid 204 are integrally molded and manufactured by methods including injection molding, compression molding, blow molding, extrusion molding, or rotational molding. In another example, the attachment means 214 and the lid 204 are casted together. In yet another example, the attachment means 214 and lid 204 are welded together. The attachment means 214 preferably comprises at least one material selected from the group comprising of thermoplastic, polyethylene, a thermoset plastic, laminate or combinations thereof. Moreover, the canister 202 may be formed from a first material, and the lid 204 may be formed from a second material.

A lobe or attachment means 314 can also be monolithic with a canister 302 as shown in FIG. 3. In one example, the attachment means 314 includes a lobe 318 and a hook-shaped portion 316. The lobe 318 extends radially outwardly from the canister 302. The attachment means 314 preferably extends above the center of gravity of the canister 302 so that when the canister 302 is affixed to a substrate, the orientation of the canister 302 is maintained even when the canister 302 is no longer weighted down by the rounded objects.

In one example, the attachment means 314 and canister 302 are integrally molded and manufactured by methods including injection molding, compression molding, blow molding, extrusion molding, or rotational molding. In another example, the attachment means 314 and canister 302 are casted together. In yet another example, the attachment means 314 and canister 302 are welded together. In one example, the attachment means 314 comprises at least one material selected from the group comprising of thermoplastic, polyethylene, a thermoset plastic, laminate or combinations thereof.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another configuration of an attachment means 414. The attachment means 414 is removably attached to a lid 404 above a center of gravity when the lid 404 is coupled to a canister 402. The attachment means 414 may be secured to the lid 404 by means of a structural fastener. The structural fastener may be a mechanical fastener or a compound that resists a separation of items. The mechanical fastener may include hooks, clasps, braces, carabiners, rings, latches, screws, anchors, connectors, magnets, or combinations thereof. The compound may include glue, tape, paste, cement, mucilage, or combinations thereof. The attachment means 414 may also be snap-fit or press-fit with the lid 404. In this example, a linlobe portion 418 and a serpentine portion 416 of the attachment means 414 are monolithic.

An attachment means 514 may also be removably attached to a canister wall 512, as shown in FIG. 5. The attachment means 514 is removably attached to the canister wall 512 and above the center of gravity of the canister 502. The attachment means 514 may be secured to the canister 502 by means of a structural fastener. The structural fastener may be a mechanical fastener or a compound that resists a separation of items. The mechanical fastener may include hooks, clasps, braces, carabiners, rings, latches, screws, anchors, connectors, magnets, or combinations thereof. The compound may include glue, tape, paste, cement, mucilage, or combinations thereof. The attachment means 514 may also be snap-fit or press-fit with the canister 502. A lobe portion 518 and the serpentine portion 516 may be monolithically formed.

FIG. 6A schematically shows a two-dimensional top view of canisters 602 that are placed in a receptacle 600. Typically, canisters 602 can be stored in the receptacle 600 and the receptacle 600 may be rectangular in shape with or without rounded corners or may be formed of plastic that has been shrink-wrapped. The canisters 602 can be stored within the receptacle 600 in a certain configuration of rows.

FIG. 6B shows that the canisters 602 can also be stored within the receptacle 600 with a certain configuration or depth. The canisters 602 are usually packaged having three rows of canisters placed adjacent one another. Each of the three rows includes a pair of canisters that are positioned adjacent one another. When the canisters 602 are arranged in a 2 x 3 manner, the walls of the canisters 602 and the receptacle define an interstice. The attachment means 614 are manufactured in a way such that when the attachment means 614 are attached or monolithic to the canisters 602, the attachment means 614 nestle in the interstice between the canisters 602. Due to the exemplary size and orientation of the attachment means 614, the attachment means 614 conveniently fit in the interstice, not interfering with any of the canisters 602.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An canister for holding objects, the canister comprising: a canister body having a generally cylindrical wall with an upper portion lying above a center of gravity of the canister body and an opening defined by a peripheral lip that receives a lid; a ring that surrounds an outer circumference of the canister below the lip; a recess lying between a lower portion of the lip and an upper portion of the ring; and an attachment means extending from the recess, the attachment means being secured to the canister body between the wall, the ring, and the lip, the attachment means lying above the center of gravity of the canister so that when the canister is affixed to a substrate, a vertically aligned orientation of the canister is maintained even when the canister no longer holds the objects.
 2. The canister of claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a lobe portion and a serpentine portion extending from the lobe portion.
 3. The canister of claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a serpentine-shaped portion, the serpentine-portion having at least two bends.
 4. A canister for holding objects, the canister comprising: a canister body having a generally cylindrical wall and an upper portion having a lip extending radially from the wall; and a lid for covering the opening; and an attachment means having a lobe extending outwardly from the lid, the attachment means extending from a position on the canister above the center of gravity of the canister so that when the canister is affixed to a substrate, a vertically oriented position of the canister is maintained even when the canister no longer holds the rounded objects.
 5. The canister of claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes a hook-shaped portion, wherein the hook-shaped portion includes a lobe portion and a serpentine portion extending from the lobe portion.
 6. The canister of claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes a lobe portion and a serpentine portion extending from the lobe portion.
 7. The canister of claim 4, wherein the attachment means includes a serpentine-shaped portion, the serpentine-portion having at least two bends.
 8. The canister of claim 4, wherein the attachment means and the lid are monolithic.
 9. The canister of claim 4, wherein the attachment means comprises a material selected from the group comprising of a thermoplastic, polyethylene, a thermoset plastic, laminate and combinations thereof.
 10. A canister for holding rounded objects, the canister comprising: a canister body having a generally cylindrical side wall and a lip extending radially from the wall; a lid configured to cover the opening and cooperate with the lip, the lid being removably attached to the canister; and an attachment means that extends from a position on the canister wall that lies above the center of gravity of the canister so that when the canister is affixed to a substrate, a vertical orientation of the canister is maintained so that the opening lies upwardly facing even when the canister no longer holds the rounded objects.
 11. The canister of claim 10, wherein the attachment means includes a hook-shaped portion, wherein the hook-shaped portion has a lobe segment and a serpentine segment extending from the lobe segment.
 12. The canister of claim 10, wherein the attachment means includes a lobe portion and a serpentine portion extending from the lobe portion.
 13. The canister of claim 10, wherein the attachment means includes a serpentine-shaped portion, the serpentine-portion having at least two bends.
 14. The canister of claim 10, wherein the attachment means and the canister are monolithic.
 15. The canister of claim 10, wherein the attachment means comprises a material selected from the group comprising of a: thermoplastic, polyethylene, a thermoset plastic, laminate and combinations thereof.
 16. A canister for holding objects, the canister comprising: a canister body having a generally cylindrical wall with an upper portion lying above a center of gravity of the canister body; and an attachment means extending from the canister body, the attachment means being secured to an upper portion of the canister body, the attachment means lying above the center of gravity of the canister so that when the canister is affixed to a substrate, a vertically aligned orientation of the canister is maintained even when the canister no longer holds the objects.
 17. A package including a group of canisters for holding objects, the package comprising: a number of rows of canisters, each canister having an attachment means; each row of canisters including a pair of canisters positioned adjacent to one another, each of the canisters having an attachment means; and an interstice extending between adjacent canisters, wherein the attachment means extends into the interstice.
 18. The package of claim 17, wherein the number equals three. 